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According to reports by German media outlets, the number of asylum applications in Germany fell significantly in the first six months of 2025 in comparison with figures from the same time period last year.
German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported that a total of 65,495 applications were submitted between 1 January and 30 June, citing previously unpublished data from the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) – a decrease of 43% year-on-year.
Another media outlet, BILD, reported that only 61,300 first-time applications for asylum were made in Germany in the first half of 2025.
In June, the number of new applications was less than 7,000, a 60% decline from June 2024 numbers, and 70% from two years ago. The figure sets a new record for the lowest monthly applications submitted since March 2013.
Germany no longer the top destination for asylum in Europe
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union (CSU) sees the latest figures as confirmation of the effectiveness of his migration policy which has been regarded by many as controversial.
In an interview with BILD, he noted the numbers indicate “clear successes of the migration turnaround” and emphasised that his ministry will continue to work to revamp the migration system “from head to toe”.
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) MEP and migration expert Lena Düpont also sees the declining figures as a major success. Speaking to German media, she noted that partnership agreements with key North African countries played a major role in reducing asylum figures.
She also cited greater cooperation between third countries and the EU border protection agency Frontex as reasons behind this success.
Europe-wide figures
In the first half of 2025, Spain claimed the top spot for asylum application with the Iberian country recording just over 76,020 applications. France came in second, recording some 75,428, while Germany trailed in third place with 65,495 applications.
Italy came in fourth with 62,534, then came Greece at 27,718 and Belgium recorded just over 17 thousand.
On the lower end of the spectrum. Hungary, which endorses a notoriously strict immigration policy under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, received just 47 applications. Slovakia recorded 84 applications while Lithuania received 152.
Countries of origin of asylum seekers in Germany and Europe
According to the report, around 22% of asylum seekers in Germany were Afghan nationals, Syrians constituted around 20% of applicants while Turkish citizens made up 11% of applications received by Berlin.
Russians made up the fifth largest nationality of asylum applicants, having submitted just over 3%.
In total, close to 400,000 people applied for asylum in EU countries, Norway and Switzerland in the first half of this year.
This is a decrease of around 23% from total figures of last year. On a continental level, the top three nationalities of applicants were Venezuelans, close to 50,000, Afghans with around 41,000 and Syrians with approximately 23,000.
